Behavioral Health Archives | Autism FIRST

The Future of Behavioral Health in Virginia Pt. 2

Why Speed Matters in Behavioral Health

When a parent is told their child may benefit from ABA therapy, every week without help can feel overwhelming. Delays increase family stress, stall developmental progress, and deepen disparities — especially in underserved areas.

Our response? A reimagined intake and access process that puts families first.


What We’ve Changed — And Why It Works

Thanks to our expanded network of 9 clinics across Virginia and the addition of statewide in-home services, here’s how we’re making care more immediate:

Streamlined Intake Process
Our team responds to new inquiries quickly, ensuring families feel seen, supported, and guided through the next steps — from insurance verification to program placement.

Flexible Service Delivery
Whether families prefer in-clinic or in-home therapy, our merged teams offer options that match family needs, schedules, and comfort levels.

Cross-Clinic Coordination
With multiple locations and shared systems, we can shift staffing and resources to open up availability — removing regional bottlenecks.

Entry Into Outpatient Services
For adolescents and adults, our new outpatient offerings open doors to consistent behavioral and mental health care — faster.


From Call to Care: What Families Can Expect

When a family reaches out today, they’re met with:

  • Prompt response from intake coordinators
  • Clear explanation of programs and eligibility
  • Assistance with insurance and paperwork
  • Fast-tracked evaluations and placements

Whether a family is in Herndon or Roanoke, our mission is the same: we’re ready when you are.


What It Means for the Future

Our system isn’t just growing — it’s getting smarter and more responsive. With data-driven planning and statewide collaboration, we’re proving that fast care can also be high-quality care.

And when families get the support they need, when they need it most, everything changes:

Communication improves.
Skills grow.
Confidence returns.

That’s what “Care That Grows With You” truly means.


Coming Next: Building a Statewide Commitment

In the final post of the series, we’ll explore how this unified team of professionals is building a sustainable, future-ready model for behavioral health in Virginia — one grounded in clinical excellence, equity, and growth.

Stay tuned for Part 3: A Statewide Commitment to Care.